A brave Melton schoolgirl who was given the all-clear from a rare form of cancer earlier this year inspired Leicestershire firefighters to don bright orange tutus and silly socks to help raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

The crew from Birstall Fire and Rescue Station got behind the ‘Crazy Legs’ challenge to fundraise for Stand Up To Cancer.

Stand Up To Cancer is a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which aims to raise money to fund vital research which will get new and better treatments to cancer patients faster.

As part of this year’s campaign, schools, offices, friends and family are being invited to take on the Crazy Legs challenge by getting sponsored to wear a ridiculous bottom half for a day in October.

The Leicestershire firefighters embraced the challenge with relish following the news that their colleague Nick Spargo’s daughter, Kayti, was in remission from cancer.

Nick, who is from Melton, dared his colleagues to join in after Kayti (16) was given the all clear from a rare cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma in May.

Kayti, a pupil at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, jetted to Florida in December for 10 weeks of revolutionary proton beam therapy - a more targeted form of radiotherapy - after doctors discovered a tumour behind her nose.

Nick said: “We’ve had so much from other people that now it’s time to give something back. Treatment is developing so fast that you realise how important research is. Even while Kayti was going through treatment things were changing.

“That’s why I wanted to get behind the Crazy Legs campaign. We hope our example will fire other people’s imaginations to take on the challenge to help raise money for life-saving research.”

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for the East Midlands, said: “We’d like to thank Leicestershire Fire Service for standing up to cancer in style.

“From office workers in jazzy tights, teachers in clown trousers, firemen in flippers or rugby players in tutus, we’re asking people of all walks of life to go barmy on their bottom halves this month.

“By taking on the Crazy Legs challenge, they’ll be helping to raise crucial cash for life-saving cancer research. Simply pull on a ridiculous bottom half for the day and either make a donation or get sponsored by friends and family.”

Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has already raised over £23.8m. This year’s campaign is up and running now, and will culminate with an evening of special programming on Channel 4 on Friday, October 9.

This year, there are many ways to get involved and help save lives. Cancer Research UK is urging people to register for their free fundraising kit now and make their stand to help save lives.

Paula added: “Money raised by Stand Up To Cancer is helping change the face of cancer research by funding clinical trials, which mean new and improved treatments can be tested and then given to people who need them most.

“One in two people in the UK will develop cancer at some point in their lives and there’s still much more to do to ensure no-one’s life is cut short by this devastating disease. That’s why we need everyone to join us and make a stand against cancer now.”

For more information and to get involved visit www.standuptocancer.org.uk

To watch a video clip of the firefighters sporting their tutus visit https://youtu.be/7FpNIoqHLsM